DidaTravel, a leading tech-driven global travel wholesaler, has witnessed a remarkable surge in booking demand for Thailand and Malaysia, largely fueled by a surge in Chinese outbound travel. The first half of 2024 saw hotel bookings from Chinese travelers visiting Thailand soar by an impressive 340% compared to the same period the previous year. Similarly, hotel bookings from Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia surged by an astounding 780% during the first six months of 2024. These figures highlight the growing enthusiasm and confidence among Chinese travelers for these Southeast Asian destinations.
In Thailand, popular destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Karon, Patong, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Koh Samui, Bang Phli, and Hat Yai are witnessing a significant influx of Chinese visitors. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Johor Bahru, Semporna, Langkawi, Malacca, Petaling Jaya, Sepang, and Ipoh are proving to be top attractions for Chinese travelers.
In response to this booming demand, DidaTravel hosted a series of B2B business matchmaking and networking events in Beijing on September 3 and Shanghai on September 5. These events brought together key Chinese travel agencies experiencing an upswing in outbound travel demand with hotel representatives from Thailand and Malaysia. The primary goal of these events was to solidify DidaTravel’s position as a bridge between Chinese travel agencies and Southeast Asian hotel partners, actively addressing the rapid expansion of China’s outbound travel market and further enhancing the influence of international hotel brands in the Chinese source market.
Snow Xiao, Senior Director – Hotel Direct Contracting, Global at DidaTravel, commented, “The surge in bookings to Thailand and Malaysia highlights the growing enthusiasm of Chinese source market travelers in these destinations. We are dedicated to equipping our partners with the resources they need to harness this demand. Our events in Beijing and Shanghai reflected our commitment to fostering strong, lasting relationships between travel agencies and hoteliers. By enabling direct communication and collaboration, we aim to help our partners deliver exceptional, customized experiences that meet the evolving needs of today’s travellers.”
